Closed [A Touchy Subject] A Tempting Offer.

[Firenze]

30 Spring, 515 AV

Firenze brushed her hair to the side, the wind off the water whipped it in every direction. It was a little chilly, the weather had started to warm but the wind had a slightly chill to it. Unaccustomed to the sound of the waves constantly crashing. The city had an old world meets new world charm to it and appealed to her fancy for beautiful things.

Walking the streets all morning, she didn’t have anyplace to go. After they’d departed from the ship everyone had gone their own ways. She expected that, of course, and wasn’t hurt by it in any way, she hoped to see them around town again. Unsure of what next to do, her bag had been slung over her shoulder, filled to the brim with her meager things.

Doing what her instinct first told her to do she made her way to the woods and had bedded down in the brush a few miles up into the mountains. It had been a hard trek but after being trapped on the boat for so long the burn and sting in her muscles were a welcome feeling. No job, no living quarters and no idea what to do next.

The forest had provided adequate shelter and water, but the food was rather scarce. Planning had been her main task as of late, wanting to get a plan in action meant that she could keep her mind off things that had happened back in Sunberth. Plans were always good. Her first goal for the day had been to clean herself and get herself as proper as she could, to go into town. Hunting had been keeping her a touch on the smelly side and although she didn’t really notice it that much considering it was her own scent, she was worried that others might find it offensive.

She’d pulled her purple blouse and skirt out of her pack and slipped them on, trying to smooth the wrinkles from being tucked into her pack for so long. They were a little bigger than when she originally bought them, but still fit. A brush ran through her wild hair trying to tame it into submission, a comb followed suit for good measure. Looking at the make up in the bag, a shrug and then the application of her pomade. Sticking her finger in the eye dust she wiped it across her lids, forgoing the brushes, still unsure how to use them to apply the coloring.

Mind returning to the present moment, her feet leading her down the street, she admired the buildings, completely unlike anything in Sunberth. They appeared as though the inhabitants of the city cared deeply. Her walk lead her back to where she had originally started when she walked off the boat. In the heart of the Old Quarter. Mouth slightly agape, she gawked. A true tourist.

Not wanting to be out of place, she caught herself and closed her mouth, eyes scanning over everything in sight. People hustled and bustled around her. Continuing east she noticed the buildings were less extravagant. Making her feel almost as if she were back in Sunberth. Almost.

Plain building fronts lined the street and there were fewer people in the street. Heads turned down, collars flipped up. It appeared as those in this section of town may not want to be noticed.

Tired from the long walk down from where she’d been staying she found a stoop to sit. Her rear on the top step, her feet a few down from that. Looking up and behind her she inspected the building. Plain… yet it still had an air of elegance. Three stories high, only a few windows dotted the front. That’s strange.. Only a few windows on such a large building? A large steel door sat at the top of the steps.

A metal door…

I wonder what a heavy looking door like that holds behind it. Did all the buildings in the area have doors such as this?

Glancing around the street, she looked and only could see wooden doors.

Why the metal door?

Curiosity, as usual, grasped her in it’s hold, moving her limbs to stand and turn, pushing her hands against the cold steel. As soon as the door began to move and she peered around the corner she immediately did not regret the decision.

Decadence.

Pure and overwhelming decadence.

Over stuffed chairs, silk, crystal chandeliers casting their glow of candlelight onto the finest room Firenze had ever seen. In her life. Her mouth truly dropped and her eyes slowly took in everything. Not wanting to forget a single detail.

After her fill of the room, she began to feel self-conscious. Wild hair brushed her face as she looked to her slippered feet, the wrinkled skirt and blouse she’d donned and the dirt under her fingernails that she hadn’t been able to scrub free in the creek.

She didn’t feel like she belonged there, but the excitement in her craved for it. Yearned for it.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

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[Matthew]

It wasn't long before Firenze would be approached. While there were many in the Touchy Subject who would be interested in tempting the Kelvic into purchasing them for a bell, Matthew had been already heading for the door when she had stepped in, making him the one who was the closest to the awed woman. A neatly-fitted suit hugged to his slim but toned frame, a subtly decorated mask completely covering his features as he gracefully approached. However, he was just now ending his shift, so the mask did not linger for long. The Harlot wouldn't quite reach her before a slim hand lifted, clasping the smooth mask and giving it a gentle tug, freeing it from his handsome features and revealing bright blue eyes that stared intently at her. She was an oddity. She was out of place. The expression on her pretty features expressed both wonder and slight confusion, as if she wasn't exactly sure where she was but liked what she had found.

It only took a tick for Matthew's intense and focused gaze to flick over her, studying her every little detail and filing them away for future reference. While Firenze noticed some of her physical flaws when compared to the people in this place, Matthew noticed them all. There was the unskilled applicaton of her pomade, for one. He didn't think any less of her for it, merely noted it like he would note any other mundane detail. There were other little features he found interesting, such as the scars on her right hand or the yellow flecks in her golden eyes. She had something of a unique appearance, though in a subtle sort of way.

"Hello. My name is Matthew and I am a prostitute that works here at a Touchy Subject. Were you perhaps looking for employment or did you just happen to wander in?" His voice was soft and polite, a passive tone to the words. His blue stare steadily gazed into her own golden one, eyes unflinching and apathetic. He seemed to be all politeness and professionalism, pristinely wrapped and presented to her. "I can answer any questions you might have about this place. If I have incorrectly identified you, I apologize." He was fairly sure that he hadn't. She wasn't a customer. He had worked in the business long enough to immediately know a customer when he saw one. There was no want in her eyes. No desire for what those of his profession offered. "I actually am supposed to be meeting someone right outside the door. Would you like to step outside with me?"

If she agreed, he would give a short nod and head for the door, holding it open for her to pass through, following her outside and stepping off to the side in order to wait. He gave her time to explain or ask any questions she had, assuming that she followed him. If she stayed inside, the Madame would no doubt attend to her shortly. He had a feeling that the Madame might find some interest in the young woman. She was pleasing to the eye, something that was important to their profession. Provided she did follow him just a few steps out of the door and to the side, he would turn to face her and cross his slim arms over his chest, listening to what she had to say.

He was supposed to meet Aider here. From what he understood of how such social interactions worked, Kaie considered Matthew to be a good friend. It would likely please her if Matthew and Aider made an attempt to get to know each other a little better. As of yet, Matthew had no real opinion on the man, though he assumed that Aider was of good character if Kaie had taken him as a lover. The angry outburst that Matthew had shown at the hot springs hadn't changed that opinion at all. Anger was simple anger, nothing to base an opinion off of. He had just invited the man to meet him so that they could find some activity to experience together in some sort of bonding fashion. Perhaps fishing? He had no idea.

[Firenze]

She looked back to the room, a man that had been nearby approached. Unsure what to do, she held her hands together, twisting her fingers. He matched the surroundings; unlike anything she’d ever seen before. He wore a delicately tailored suit that perfectly fit. As her eyes moved up along his body she noticed the mask that he was wearing. She’d never seen someone wear a mask before and it made her pause for a tick as to what would cause someone to don one.

As he came closer he slipped it off, her breath hitched as she saw his piercing blue eyes. His strong jawline appealed to her, soft full lips inviting her to taste. Her tongue peeked out from between her lips slightly, wetting them. Maybe that was why he wore the mask? Eyes flitted away, averting her gaze she tried to focus on a nearby figurine of a nude woman. It didn't help much, only furthered the thoughts that his looks had quietly slipped into her mind.

Without skipping a beat he introduced himself and asked if she seeked employment. She wasn’t sure what the job would be or what she would be employed as. He then asked if she had just wandered in. That was the particular case, but the idea of securing a job piqued her interest.

She didn’t know exactly what a prostitute was but she kind of had an idea. She’d heard people in the bar talking about them in Sunberth whenever she had gone down to eat during her last days. From what she gathered it was someone that the grubby men liked to roll in hay with. She’d also heard them saying that they like to poke them and toss them around a bit. It was the weirdest profession that she’d ever heard of but she didn’t think it sounded too hard to do, just as long as they didn’t toss or poke her too hard. The rolling in hay didn't sound so bad, hay was generally soft. Must be some sort of entertainment? She wondered if that would be the job he would offer her, if it included working in the establishment that they were standing in then it wouldn’t be so bad.

His strong gaze on her had a tinge of pink blossoming on the top of her cheeks. He mentioned being able to answer her questions and she thought of one almost immediately, “I…” Her eyes focused on his, but almost hidden under her lashes, her embarrassment from her attire causing shyness to come forward. Before she could ask her question he informed her that he was going out. She wanted to know more about the position he was offering and what she had to do, she needed to start making some money.

Following him her eyes studied the fine material of the suit, continuing her sentence, “...I am in need of a job, but what is it?” She stepped off to the side of the door and clasped her hands together. Eyes roved the streets trying to see who Matthew might be meeting. There were very few people and none of them she recognized.

As she noted the different persons wandering she spotted dark hair and a body that seemed familiar, but she couldn’t place why. Squinting, her nose wrinkling, she tried to see if she recognized the person. It couldn't be the same person, they were still in Sunberth as far as she knew.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

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[Aider Silander]

A favor? A request? Aider had no clue why Matthew had asked him out to this spot. Within the short time of him being in the city Aider had actually studied very little of it. Having to ask for directions to a place with a name like a Touchy Subject achieved him many looks of different variety. After a few moments of walking the man finally found his target. A rather large building, another one that made Sunberth look like an architects nightmare. His eyes scanned up the side of the building and then back down to the road.

He was groomed back to his previous state. His face was shaven close and his hair had been taken care of and trimmed. He was dressed simply in the same clothing that he had arrived to the city in. His leather jacket with a simple flaxen shirt and a pair of leather pants. His feet were covered in low cut boots. He noticed who he assumed was Matthew, the well groomed man was tucked away in a suit. The Nykian stepped closer towards the pair that were standing by the door. One was Matthew and the other was a girl he had met in Sunberth and nearly spent a night with.

He walked towards the two before stopping and looking at the two. His eyes bouncing between the man and the woman. "Hello Matthew, sorry I am late. I am still not used to this city and hello Fire. Fancy seeing you here." he said with a simple nod towards the woman. His mind filled with the memory of the night they shared. It was slightly awkward with a woman who seemed to have very little experience in that field. She was shy and timid but excited at the same time. It was an interesting experience but not one he had not been involved with before.

Aider turned back to face Matthew and he smiled slightly. "So why did you call me out here?" he said trying to sound as polite as possible. He had no reason to be ill towards the man. The only indecent moment the two had shared so far was the explosion of emotions in the bathhouse. But that moment was behind him and he couldn't say anymore towards that point.

[Matthew]

If Matthew had noticed her blushing cheeks he gave no sign, blue eyes remaining intensely focused upon her own gaze. He had barely even noticed her attire. Attire was something that could be completely changed in the blink of an eye. No, he was interested in the more permanent things that made up the person who stood before him. “A prostitute is someone who offers a service known as prostitution. This service is the business or practice of engaging in sexual relations in return for payment.” He found it slightly strange that she didn't know what exactly it was. He did not think any less of her for it, just wondered how she had managed to avoid encountering someone of their profession up until now. Whatever the case, he could certainly appreciate the earnest curiosity in her voice. He felt that it was beneficial for everyone if knowledge was freely shared. “However, it would be more accurate to say that a Touchy Subject offers something called an escort service. Instead of being referred to as prostitutes or harlots, you would refer to the employees as escorts. An escort offers many other services besides sexual ones. A client can hire me to do anything from sharing a simple kiss, to going on a single date, to more intimate activities in the bedroom.” He paused for a moment, allowing her to process all of the information that he had just delivered, only continuing on after she looked ready to absorb more. “Do you feel as if this is something you are interested in?” His tone remained soft and polite the entire time, discussing the topic as if it was no different than conversing about the weather.

Aider's approach stole away Matthew's attention, his head turning and eyes fixing upon the Nykian. A small frown flickered across his handsome features at Aider's first words, Matthew nodding slowly in understanding. “Of course. I apologize, that is my mistake. I should have given you directions. You know this young lady? Fire, was it?” Matthew blinked, flicking his stare back to Firenze, slightly surprised. What an interesting coincidence.

Why did he call Aider out here? Ah. A logical question. “I thought it might be useful to get to know each other a bit more since we will be temporary living so closely together. Anyone Kaie trusts in is someone I would be quite interested in getting to know. I am happy to show you anything in Zeltiva that you might be interested in. Would you mind if Firenze joined us? Firenze, would you like to join us?” His head turned back and forth between the two of them, polite smile still curving his lush lips, the Harlot completely and utterly unaware of the bit of history Firenze and Aider shared.

“She is looking for employment and expressed some interest in a local high-class brothel known as a Touchy Subject. Do you feel she would make a good escort?” While most would consider it a somewhat taboo subject, Matthew discussed it openly and casually. He was interested in hearing Aider's opinion on the subject and also interested if Firenze was still considering the line of work after learning what it was.

[Firenze]

Eyes widened slightly when Matthew mentioned that prostitutes are paid to have sex, never having actually had sex herself. Sure, she’d fooled around and had fun with her, now lost, bondmate, but she’d never actually fully engaged in the act. Could she do that? Be paid for people to do that to her? Seemed easy enough, and she had heard that sort of thing was actually quite fun… that was what she’d heard anyway.

He continued about the establishment and the requirements of the job and it helped to put her at ease a little that she may not actually have to have sex with someone, that she could just look pretty for them. I could do that! It would be better than wandering around the forest smelling like a week old carcass. Of course she didn’t mind it all that much but the job that he was offering sounded as though it could be easier then what she was currently doing. It just wasn’t bringing in the money she needed and the animals in the new area were even more scarce than they had been in Sunberth, and that was saying something.

Matthew asked if she was interested in the position. Was she? It sounded fun, what could it hurt to try? What was the worse that could happen? She could always leave if she felt that she couldn’t fulfill the duties.

“I think it sounds very interesting, I think I am interested, yes. Will it hurt my chances to get the job if I’ve not had...erm.. relations before?” Face turned toward Matthew she didn’t notice as the person that they’d been waiting for approached. Her ears perked as she heard footsteps almost next to her and her head swiveled on her shoulders. She looked straight into the face of someone she’d not thought she’d see again… Aider.

He gave his greeting and acknowledge her. Her mouth open to speak and she closed it again when no words came out, she glanced over to Matthew and back to Aider. Her mouth tipped up at the corner in a half smile and an awkward flush caused her heart to race as the memory of their last encounter came to the surface of her mind.

“Ah..ehm.. Hey.” The shock of seeing him planting the goofy smile on her face. Eyes went back to Matthew as he asked Aider of knowing her. Those same eyes widened a little and her eyebrows perked up with anxiety as she thought that Aider might tell him of the night that they’d met. Would Matthew judge her meager skills on that and not give her the position? Her bottom lip slipped between her teeth and held it there as she waited to hear what Aider might tell him.

Then Matthew mentioned that she was looking for a position and she barely suppressed the internal groan of embarrassment. She knew for sure that he’d tell Matthew about her feeling ill and passing out and the even more awkward morning after. Of him sleeping in the chair as his thoughts were on another woman… and that woman wasn’t her. She’d not even managed to change his mind to her… what good would she be with someone that would want her services?

Still, despite what he might tell Matthew she still had a little sliver of hope that he’d hire her and teach her the skills needed to be able to satisfy.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

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[Aider Silander]

Aider stood there with his arms crossed as the two conversed a little more before he was pulled into the conversation. "Yes we met back in Sunberth. We've shared a small amount of time together and to answer your question in the most simple way I can. Yes I think she would make a fine escort." he said with a firm nod. Though the two had made not shared the entire night together in the most intimate way he felt no reason to keep her from something she was interested in. "She may need a bit more training but I believe she has the natural ability to keep someones interest in a variety of ways."

He believed that she was a natural beauty and would probably give someone more then their moneys worth once she got the experience she needed. Though Aider was not sure that she had not shared many of nights with others after they had parted. "At least from my experience with her. She's young but I feel that she would make a fine companion." Aiders gaze looked Fire over, admiring her curves and the skin that was exposed to him before turning his gaze back to Matthew. There was a small fire within his stomach, a want to continue his activities with the woman before him. To explore more of what was happening before the night ended for the two. His eyes showed nothing more then a dull buzz about being out in the city where he could walk safely.

"If she wishes to join us, I have no objections and directions would have made the journey a lot less interesting. This city is different from both Sunberth and Nyka. I would like to learn how it works. The ins and outs but a lot of that I will have to discover for myself" he said with a shrug. His words were a bit aggressive though he did not mean all of it, echos of words from a time that had passed were in his mind and he held them true. He did not fully trust Matthew yet and even with Kaie's words about him he felt that it would be a long while before he did. The incident at the bath house and the three of them sharing a room did not rest easy with the man. He still knew very little of the Harlots and Myrians shared past. "Shall we go?" he asked the two, turning his body as if to usher them forward.

[Matthew]

Matthew only had to briefly consider her question before quickly giving a reply, his words continuing to be soft-spoken and professional, even when dealing with such a topic. "It will not. When it comes to sex, there are plenty of people who enjoy what an un-experienced partner has to offer. There are also people who will pay an extremely high price to have sex with someone who is a virgin. It is very rare to find such a thing in my profession, which makes it very valuable in turn. I should clarify that while the profession does include many other things besides just sex, that is still by far the most popular service that is purchased. If you are a virgin because sex is something that you consider a special gift to the right partner, that will greatly lower your chances at getting hired. An employee that cannot perform the most profitable service is not a profitable employee. It is not unheard of, but it is quite rare." The fact that she had used the word relations as opposed to sex was a definite clue that she was perhaps uncomfortable with the topic, which is what had caused Matthew to make sure she fully understood what to expect. It could also be a sign of her experience with the topic as well, but he felt it was better to be safe than sorry.

Ah, so they did know each other. Something of a plan was forming in Matthew's mind, one that would be a bit more easy to carry out if the two people before him already knew each other. His sharp blue stare focused intensely on Aider, listening carefully to his full opinion and giving a slow nod to signal that he understood. He was familiar enough with the way Aider briefly looked Firenze over to recognize what it meant, filing the information away for later. It would possibly aid in making all of this a bit easier to execute.

"Yes, let us be off. The main thing to remember about the layout of Zeltiva is that it is split into four different Quarters that will likely have to be learned over time. There is the Ancient Quarter, Old Quarter, Sailors' Quarter and Denvali Quarter. Each of the Quarters are most commonly identified by key landmarks or streets. We are currently in the Denvali Quarter for instance, which is known to contain East Street. That is the street we are currently on. I am going to take you to a location on West Street, which is known to be contained in the Old Quarter." He motioned for the two to follow him, talking slowly and making sure he accurately described how the geography of the city worked. Aider was very right, it was incredibly different from Sunberth. Matthew felt that it was certainly a much better place than Sunberth. He was absolutely sure that it was much safer. As he led the two of them through the streets, he made it a point to point out a few locations and landmarks that they could use to help navigate the city in the future.

Matthew was completely oblivious to the bit of aggression within Aider's voice, not even remotely aware that there was a lack of trust. There were certain things that Matthew did not understand about the world. To Matthew, three people sharing the same room was simply three bodies contained within the same area. He did not realize that there could be more to it, that lovers would likely wish for privacy, that jealousy could be sparked. It was a major flaw in the way that Matthew's mind operated.

The Harlot soon turned to Firenze as the three walked, focusing his attention upon her once more. "A large portion of your responsibilities as an escort would be to make yourself desirable to the clients that come in. Your worth to the business will be judged in how many people spend coin because of you and you alone. The most common method of attracting clients to yourself is through seduction, or enticement. This can be done in various forms, such as with body language or specific types of words. The method you use to seduce or entice can differ depending on what your goal is or what you feel the client wants. Seducing a client to engage in sexual behavior is very different than enticing someone to merely pay money for the opportunity to spend time with you. Do you understand so far?"

If she agreed, Aider and Firenze would both find that the conversation would take a very sudden and jarring leap forward. "Fire, pretend that you have been employed as an escort and Aider is a client who is just walked in. Seduce him. Entice him. Aider, I would like you to honestly judge her performance by expressing how she made you feel. Both compliments and criticisms of her performance are welcome."

The instructions were left purposefully vague, hopefully giving Matthew the chance to see what raw talent Firenze held for such a thing.

[Firenze]

Surprise lifted her brows as she listened to Aider speak. She hadn’t expected the answer that he gave, and that turned her sureness into doubt. Doubt about what she thought she knew about the man that was standing next to her. She tried to maintain composure and not outright stare when he mentioned her being a fine companion. Was she? She hadn’t managed to keep her bondmate. Didn’t he say he would keep her? Why hadn’t he? The thought of her bondmate frustrated her, she didn’t want to think about him. He’d left her! Just like everyone else always did! Her family didn’t want her, why would he?

She’d spent too long feeling like he was going to come back, that a job had taken him away and he hadn’t had a chance to explain. When she finally had come to the realization that he may not come back she’d fled. She couldn’t handle knowing that he might indeed come back and not want her. The thought of him with someone else flared jealousy through her. She didn’t need him, she was her own woman now. She’d make it on her own and she was proving it by just being in the spot that she was and getting an actual job, instead of trying to sell scraps of meat to anyone who would buy.

Matthew spoke and jarred her from her flash of thoughts. Answering her question about being intimate with someone. He seemed formal but the way that he spoke made her feel at ease with what he was saying. She listened intently, trying to focus, wanting to take in everything that he was saying, try to remember any information that he would have for her about the position. She wanted the job and she wanted to make sure that she did it right. Yes, she’d never actually been with anyone, not even her bondmate, but did that mean that she couldn’t? It scared her a little to think of what all it might entail, but she hoped that maybe if she tried to learn something about what she should do then she could do it. Was it really that difficult? What all did you have to do exactly?

Wanting to know more she responded, “That’s good that some people might like it. I never really thought about…” Fire cleared her throat softly, a sideways glance under her lashes at Aider and quickly back to Matthew,”...sex before. I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to do for it. As long as it’s not a bad thing, then I could try it.” Shifting slightly she glanced quickly to Aider again, wondering what he thought, if he had been interested in her because she was a virgin or not. Her eyes back to Matthew, “I’ve not actually worked at an established place before, I’ve always kind of just worked for myself... so if you say that it wouldn’t be profitable for them, or me, if I couldn’t fulfill those things, then I’ll learn to have sex.” It wasn’t as awkward as she’d thought it would be to actually say the word, but it was still unusual on her tongue. Almost like the first time that she’d tried ale, it hadn’t particullary tasted bad but the flavors had been different than anything that she’d ever had before.

Both men spoke of leaving, she walked with them, one on either side. Aider had mentioned a place called Nyka? She wondered what that was like and stored away the thought to ask him about it for a later time. Matthew spoke of Zeltiva and how it differed from Sunberth, the different Quarters and what one they were currently in, Denvali Quarter. They were going to a place called West Street in the Old Quarter. Wasn’t that somewhere near where they’d arrived? Her head swiveled and she looked around, eyes grazing over the unique buildings that were indeed, vastly different from Sunberth’s dingy worn ones. Her attention was torn from the environment and brought back to the group when Matthew started to tell her more of what she would need to do for the job.

Her eyes focused on him and soaked up what he was saying. Make yourself desirable. She was going to need to start working on fixing her hair and practice her makeup so that she could make herself more presentable. He mentioned people spending coin on her and that made her pause for a moment. People would spend actual mizas just to be with her? That intrigued her. Quickly she stored that thought to ponder on later as he continued with what she would need to learn. Seduction. Body language and certain words? It kind of sounded like it was something that you would do or say to make someone feel good. She liked doing that, so the thought of seduction appealed to her. How to do it exactly she wasn’t sure on, she generally just tried to be a nice to people. Could there be more to it?

“Yes, I think so, I would need to appeal to the taste of the person?” It wasn’t so much a question as it was an unsure observation. Her teeth bit her lip at the corner in thought, “Dressing or doing my hair and makeup to what they would prefer and maybe acting a certain way or doing something that they would like?” She wondered if this was what he’d meant and if she’d understood him correctly. His response felt as those she might be on the right track to things.

She looked to Aider as Matthew told her to practice on him. Was this a test? She wanted to get it right if it was. Nervous, her heart pounding in her chest, she tried to turn on her charm. Give it everything. Smoothing her hair and dress she tipped her shoulders back a little. Breathing in deep she tried to think of what she’d done the last time that they’d been together. He’d been interested in her then, even if it did kind of fall apart at the end of the night, she must have done something right sometime that night.

Running it over in her mind, she’d remember seeing him come into the bar and think he was attractive and the feeling that it gave her. That feeling of heat running through her veins. He was an attractive man. Her eyes skimmed over his face, his jaw line and chest. How his chest had felt underneath his clothes and how it’d looked when he’d taken his shirt off. How toned the muscles were. The feeling that she’d had after the ale and seeing him started to flood through her, heating parts of her body. She wasn’t ashamed that they were in the middle of town, the thought didn’t even cross her mind, she just wanted to do things right.

Eyes sparkling, her thoughts on their last meeting, Fire gave him a half smile, head tipping to the side slightly. Holding her hand out toward him, she pretended to introduce herself, like she’d done the first night she’d met him, “I’m Firenze, but people like to call me Fire. You can call me Fire if you’d like.” Her lips turned up in a full smile, eyes coming up at the corners slightly. She placed her foot in front of her other leg, crossing her legs slightly, she tried to show him her body to see if he would be interested in her. She tried not to get too close, but close enough that if he shifted she would brush against him, hoping that might pique is interest if nothing else did.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

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[Aider Silander]

The two were speaking in a language that Aider understood, though not fully. He believed that anyone with enough sense could understand business no matter what that business might be. An employer searches for talent in the field that they wish to fill an open position and the potential employ tries their best to impress the other. He glanced over the other man, it bugged Aider that he did not understand this mans ways. In all of Aider's life he noticed that the common man shared many similarities with one another and that only the truly odd or special shone out.

For the few short days that Aider had known Matthew there was nothing the man did that made sense to him. He was straight forward and always seemed to be thinking about what to say next. Contemplating about the way that he should string his words together.

Matthew made Aider uneasy in an odd way, insecure about his ways and patterns of speech. He remembered Kaie telling him about how Matthew was good with his words and hands or maybe he had imagined that. He wasn't sure what was real and what hadn't been for the last few days. His world had seemed to be slowly unraveling with every day that had passed, the sudden security within Zeltiva had made him question a lot of things that he did not have time to question back in Sunberth.

Aider shook his head when he heard the mention of the quarters of the city, snapping back into reality. It had reminded him of his home land in Nyka. He wondered if he had missed the city itself or the time when he just had not had so many questions about himself and more about the world around him. "This reminds me much of Nyka. It's an odd feeling, coming back to civilization after what seemed like ages" he said.

His eyes glanced from Fire back to Matthew. He wanted her to use him as practice. He wondered if Matthew had some kind of secret plans. Trying to see if he could pull Aider's interest away from Kaie and onto another so that he could take her for himself. His right fist clinched tightly as he turned his eyes back to Fire, letting himself relax. "I will try my best to be honest. I don't know how much criticisms I can offer, not having spent nights in an tavern or a place of pleasure in quiet some time" he said with a shrug. Though it wasn't all true and Matthew would probably catch on, knowing that Kaie stayed inside Ruby's. Though his words were not false, he was never there for the pleasure that he would have to play for. Any nights stay came from visiting her.

He chuckled slightly at the reintroduction. It reminded him of the first night they had met. "I am Aider, it is nice to meet you" he said a simple smile on his face. He felt the slight aura of warmth as she stepped closer to him. She showed her body to him slightly, trying to pull his attention to desirable areas. She was a beautiful woman there was no doubt about that. Aider pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth for a few ticks before smiling again. He would wait for her to talk before he threw his own twist into the practice of sorts.